Apparatus and method for dyeing textile strand materials

ABSTRACT

An apparatus by which textile strand material such as yarn has imparted thereto an appearance of random color variation therealong and in which a substantially continuous length of yarn is advanced at a predetermined linear rate while a first dye is applied to the yarn substantially throughout the length thereof, additional dyes are applied to the yarn at incrementally spaced locations therealong, the colored yarn is heated to set the dyes thereon and the dyed yarn is wound into a package.

United States Patent 1191 DeVinney 1451 Nov. .27, 1973 [5 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DYEING TEXTILE STRAND MATERIALS [76] Inventor: George L. DeVinney, P.O. Box 840,

Rutherfordton, NC.

22 Filed: June 8,1972

211 App]. No.: 260,725

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 879,281, Nov. 24,

1969, abandoned.

[52] US. Cl 8/149, 8/14, 8/151.2, 68/5 D, 68/202, 68/203, 101/172 [51] Int. Cl B056 1/06, B050 l/OS, B05c H16 [58] Field of Search 8/14, 149, 151.2; 68/200, 202, 203, 5 D; 101/172 5 6 References. Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Epstein 68/203 3,530,693 9/1970 Dimond et a1. 68/202 3,541,958 11/1970 Keown 101/172 3,621,780 11/1971 Tillotson 68/203 Primary ExaminerWilliam 1. Price Attorney-Danie1 E. McConnell [5 7 ABSTRACT An apparatus by which textile strand material such as yarn has imparted thereto an appearance of random color variation therealong and in which a substantially continuous length of yarn is advanced at a predetermined linear rate while a first dye is applied to the yarn substantially throughout the length thereof, additional dyes are applied to the yarn at incrementally spaced locations therealong, -the colored yarn is heated to set the dyes thereon and the dyed yarn is wound into a package.

18 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures RATU D .METHQDIQRQYEING.

TEXTILE STRAND MATERIALS This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 879,281 filed Nov. 24, 1969, now abandoned, and entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DYEING TEXTILE STRAND MATERIALS.

In the production of certain textile products, the appearance of random color variation across the fabric surface is highly desirable. Such an effect has heretofore been sought by special preparation of the textile strand material or yarn to be used, and particularly by application of varying colors of dye to the yarn. In accordance with certain proposed methods, textile strand material is packaged into appropriate relatively short length skeins, hanks or dye packages and varying colors of dye are applied by injection into the yarn package or by dipping portions of the package in the dye liquids. Proposals to dye yarns on a more nearly continuous basis, to thereby reduce the packaging and handling required for the yarn and thus reduce the added cost per pound of yarn processed, have not received significant commercial use due to their inability to provide a braod range of coloring effects, as the color effects heretofore achieved have been limited to spaced spots of color along the length of textile strand material processed or to relatively light tints. Further, such processes specifically have relied upon passing yarns in a sheet or plane adjacent a smooth surface roll, and depressing the yarns against the roll in a predetermined pattern. Such predetermined patterns inevitably repeat and thus can not achieve a random effect.

With the above discussion in mind, it is an object of the present invention to control the application of any desired predominant or base color to a textile strand material being handled on a continuous length basis while at the same time imparting to the textile strand material an appearance of random color variation therealong by spotting or blending additional colors onto the yarn. In accomplishing this object of the present invention, textile strand material is passed through a series of steps which include applying to the yarn substantially throughout the length thereof a dye having a first color characteristic while applying a dye having a distinct second color characteristic to the yarn in spaced locations therealong. The applications of dye proceed substantially continuously and at a relatively high rate, with the yarn being advanced at a predetermined linear speed along a predetermined path of travel. In accordance with this invention, particularly advantageous control over the application of the colors of dye result from engagement of the yarn with dye carrying surfaces moving at different linear surface speeds than the linear speed of yarn.

Yet a further object of the present invention is the dyeing of textile yarn as briefly described above through cooperation of apparatus including a creel supporting a plurality of supply packages of textile yarn to be colored, dye applying means for applying dye to a plurality of ends of yarn advanced from the creel along parallel paths lying in a common plane, heating means by which the colored yarn is subjected to anLelevated temperature to set the dye thereon and windi g means receiving dyed yarn from the heating means and forming the yarn into a finished package. In applying such apparatus to the preparation of textile yarn,common drive means are used to insure smooth advance of yarn from the supply packages through the dye applying and heating means and to the winding means, with the various means cooperating to process yarn in a substantially continuous, relatively high speed flow. Further, the dye applying means are such as to preferably blend the application of dye to the yarn in such a manner as to accomplish a shaded transition between dyed and undyed portions of the yarn.

Some of the objects and advantages of the invention having been stated, others will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view, in partial section, of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention, illustrating the preparation of textile strand material in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, partially in phantom, of a dye applying means in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 are perspectives of generally similar components of four respective dye applying means useful in the apparatus of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged end elevation view, partially in section and taken generally as indicated by the arrow 77 in FIG. 6, showing the component of FIG; 6 as installed in a dye applying means otherwise generally similar to FIG. 2.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, discussion of the present invention will proceed with reference to the imparting to textile strand materials of an appearance of random color variation therealong. In order to realize to the greatest practical extent the advantages of continuous handling of textile yarn, it is preferred that the apparatus of the present invention be particularly adapted to handle a multiplicity of textile strands substantially simultaneously, and that such a multiplicity of textile strands be simultaneously treated. To this end, the apparatus (FIG. 1) of the present invention includes the creel means generally indicated at 10 and comprising a framework particularly adapted to receive and support a plurality of supply packages P of textile yarn Y. Such creel structures are generally wellknown to persons working in textile manufacturing, are described in a number of previously granted patents, and are commercially available from a number of manufacturing sources. It is contemplated that the creel 10 may take a wide variety of acceptable configurations without detracting from the advantages gained by practice of the present invention, as the details of construction of the creel are not critical to the present invention. In practicing the present invention, it is only necessary that an adequate creel means be provided for receiving and supporting the desired number of packages P during operation of the apparatus as described herein.

In operation of the apparatus, a plurality of ends of the yarn Y are drawn from the packages P supported by the creel means 10. Guide means are provided, preferably in the form of an eyelet board 11, for receiving the multiplicity of textile strands Y and directing the same to pass in a predetermined manner to a plurality of dye applying means such as first, second and third dye applying means respectively indicated generally at l4, l5 and 16. Desirably, the guide means such as the eyelet board 11 forms the plurality of ends of yarn Y into a generally horizontally extending sheet of yarns, where the yarns are directed in parallel, substantially evenly spaced, horizontally aligned paths (FIG. 2).

Each of the dye applying means 14, and 16 is constructed to color the ends of yarn Y passing therethrough in a particular desired manner. Referring first to a first dye applying means 14, an enclosure 20 (FIG. 2) defined by separable upper and lower casing members encloses a rotatably mounted dye applying member 21 (shown in phantom lines in FIG. 2 and in full lines in FIG. 3). At front and rear sides of the enclosure 20, inlet and outlet openings 22 and 23 are defined by smoothly turned lip portions on the upper and lower segments of the enclosure 20, to permit directing of the sheet of yarns Y through the enclosure 20 while avoiding snagging or catching of the yarns. While it is contemplated that operation of the dye applying means 14 will proceed with the upper segment of the enclosure 20 being maintained in position, it is acknowledged that the apparatus may be operated with an open top vessel, formed by the lower segment of the enclosure 20.

The lower portion of the enclosure 20 functions to support a shaft 25 to which the dye carrying member is fixed, thereby mounting the dye applying member for rotation within the enclosure 20. Further, the lower portion of the enclousre 20 additionally functions as a trough member at least partially enclosing the lower portion of the dye applying member 21 and adapted to contain dye material of a first color characteristic. In order to maintain the desired level of dye material within the lower portion of the enclosure 20, the dye of the first color is supplied to a reservoir 26 (FIG. 1) and is passed to the enclosure 20 through an appropriate conduit 27 and control valve 28. Preferably, the dye supplied to the first dye applying means 14 has color characteristics distinct from the base or original color characteristics of the yarn Y supplied from the packages P on the creel means 10. As herein used, the term distinct" refers to the fact that the finished color characteristic imparted by a dye may be identified by normal human vision as other than the characteristics of another color, and is not intended to require any particularly striking or apparent difierence. Thus, two slightly different shades of red or intensities of blue would be held as distinct within the meaning of tee term herein intended. As is believed readily apparent, the desirability of providing distinctiveness between the first color of dye as applied by the first dye applying means and the base color of the yarn is to achieve a more striking effect in the finished textile product and offer a wider range of effects, as discussed more fully hereinafter. It is to be noted that the level of dye within the trough member or lower portion of the enclosure 20 is such that the lower portion of the dye applying member 21 is immersed into the dye on rotation.

In order to drive the shaft 25 and the dye applying member 21 in rotation at predetermined or determinable speeds, a drive pulley 30 is secured to one erid of the shaft 25 (FIGS. 2 and 3). The drive pulley 30 is engaged by suitable transmission means, such as a belt member 31 (FIG. 1), to be driven at a predetermined rotational speed as discussed more fully hereinafter. On such rotation, portions of the surface of the dye carrying member are withdrawn from an immersed position below the surface of the dye contained in the enclosure 20, to carry the dye into position for wiping onto the yarn Y passing through the first dye applying means 14. It is contemplated by the present invention that the wiping of dye from the dye applying member 21 onto the yarns Y may provide a number of choices to effect.

In particular, it has been determined that the use of a brush member as dye applying member 21 (FIGS. 2 and 3) results in a blending of the first color along the length of the yarn. Such blending is accomplished due to wiping action of the yarns against the dye carrying bristles of the brush. As will be understood from the drawings, the bristles of the dye applying member 21 define a generally right circular cylinder with their outer extremities. However, the yarn Y engages not only the tips of the bristles but the sides thereof, along the radial portions of the bristles. Where the shaft 25 is driven at a constant rotational speed, such movement of the yarns Y into engagement with portions of the bristles at varying radial distances from the shaft results in engagement with surfaces having differing relative speeds. Further, such engagement between the yarn and the side portion of the bristles wipes at least portions of the bristles dry, while blending or feathering the application of dye to the yarn.

Such variations in effect are further enhanced by the relative movements which occur between the dye applying member 21 and the ends of yarn Y. More particularly, where a brush member is employed as the first dye applying member 21, it is desirable that the eyelet board 1 1 traverse from side to side. Such movement of the eyelet board 11 and of the yarns Y displaces the yarns in the direction of the shaft 25, causing individual yarns to successively walk-over the ends of bristles or pass from one bristle to an adjacent bristle. Additionally, it has been found that the blending effects uniquely characteristic of yarns produced in accordnace with this invention are best produced where yarn Y is moving with a linear speed differing by at least 10 percent from the linear surface speed of the tips of the bristles of the dye applying member 21 (or of the dye applying surface thereby defined). Such speed difierentials are assured by the drive means described hereinafter.

In certain applications of the apparatus of this invention, a dye applying member 21' (FIG. 4) is used in the form of a right circular cylindrical element. Such configuration has been found particularly advantageous for more uniform wiping of dye throughout substantially the entire length of the ends of yarn Y. A satisfactory material for carrying and applying dye materials as described herein is a smooth surface thermoplastic material such as is employed in certain tubing and piping products. While a right circular cylindrical configuration is particularly advantageous, for a more nearly unifrom application of dyes, it is contemplated by the present invention that the cylindrical configuration employed as the dye carrying member 21' may be some other right cylindrical form as desired, and that the identification of the form is cylindrical is to be taken in the broad sense.

It has also been determined that the relative movement occurring between the surface of the dye carrying member 21 and the ends of yarn Y influences the effects achieved. More particularly, where the yarn Y is moving with a linear speed greater than the linear surface speed of the dye carrying member 21', the yarn wipes dye from the peripheral surface of the member 21 without entirely saturating, loading" or completing covering the yarn, so that the dye does not altogether obscure the basic color characteristics of the yarn as supplied from the packages P. Variations in the linear speed differential govern the extent to which the wiped-on dye color characteristics dominate the basic yarn color characteristics, with slow rotation of the dye carrying member 21 resulting in the dye characteristics being less dominant over the basic color characteristics of the yarn. That is, as the differential in speeds between the surface of the dye carrying member 21 and the faster moving yarns increase above percent of the yarn speed, the dye color characteristic becomes less dominant over the basic color characteristic.

In instances where the dye carrying member 21 is driven with the linear surface speed in excess of the speed of the yarn Y, dye is wiped from the member 21 onto the yarn sufficiently heavily as to load or completely cover all portions of the yarn and obscure the base color of the yarn. In such an instance, the first dye color becomes the dominant color of a substantially uniformly colored yarn. Such an effect is also dependent, to at least a certain extent, upon the differential in speeds between the dye applying member 21' and the yarn. That is, as the speed of the faster moving surface of the member 21 exceeds the speed of the yarn by more than a differential of 10 percent of the yarn speed, the dominance of the dye color becomes more certain.

Somewhat similar effects are achieved by controlling the direction of rotation of the member 21, although the variation obtained is less than that obtained by varying the rotational speed of the member 21'. Where variations in the rotational speed of the member 21 are made, it is contemplated that such rotational speed may be unevenly varied during the processing of the running lengths of yarn, to cause the first dye color to dominate in certain incremental lengths of the yarn and to expose the base color of the yarn over other incremental lengths of the yarn. Similar variations in effect are possible and may be accomplished through use of the brush member 21.

In either of the instances described to this point, the eyelet board 11 and the first dye applying means 14 cooperate in passing the yarns Y generally tangentially to and in engagement with a portion of the right circular cylindrical surface defined by the dye carrying members 21 and 21'. Preferably, this is accomplished by arranging the inlet and outlet openings 22 and 23 slightly below the path to be followed by the ends of yarn Y passing in engagement with the external surface of the dye carrying members 21 and 21. Guide rollers may be mounted within the enclosure 20 to engage and direct the yarns Y in ordr to assure the smooth feeding of the yarns.

Spaced from the first dye applying means 14 are one or more additional dye applying means represented in the apparatus of FIG. 1 by the second or third dye applying means and 16, respectively. Generally, each of the dye applying means includes certain structure corresponding to the structure of the first dye applying means 14 discussed above, such as an enclosure, a dye material reservoir, and conduit and valve means establishing communication between the reservoir and the enclosure. Where structure of a common type is employed in the three dye applying means 14, 15 and 16, the same reference character is applied, with the addition of single prime notation indicating usage of the component in the second dye applying means 15 and double prime notation indicating usage of the component in the third dye applying means 16.

The primary point of distinction among the three dye applying means 14, 15, and 16 arises as to the forms of the dye carrying members used therewithin. The second and third dye applying means may employ dye carrying members in the form of brush members corresponding to the brush member 21 of the first dye applying means 14. As an alternate thereto, and in order that the additional dye applying means may apply dyes of second and third color characteristics to incremental lengths of the yarn at spaced locations therealong, the dye applying means may take forms distinctive from brush member 21 and the cylindrical member 21 described hereinabove.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a dye carrying member 21" is illustrated which is herein referred to as a reel member, due to the member being constructed with two spaced apart end discs 35 and 36 and a plurality of Iongitudinally extending spotting bars 38 of predetermined circumferential widths spaced at predetermined circumferential distances about the periphery of the end discs 35 and 36 and extending therebetween. The iongitudinally extending spotting bars 38 define an interrupted cylindrical surface and are successively immersed in the body of dye material retained within the lower portion of the enclosure 20' on rotation of the reel member 21'.

It is anticipated that distinctive effects may be obtained using reel members 21" by a choice between two manners in which the reel member is driven in rotation. Preferably, the reel member 21" is driven in rotation by passage of the ends of yarn Y in engagement therewith. To this end, the circumferential spacing of the spotting bars 38 about the reel member 21 is sufficiently close that a next following spotting bar is always engaged by the ends of yarn Y before the next preceding spotting bar becomes disengaged. With operation in this manner, the linear speed of the spotting bars 38 and the ends of yarn Y are identical or at least substantially identical, and deposition of dye onto the yarns Y is by direct padding without any wiping action. Thus, the spotted-on second color of dye either obscures the underlying first color of dye and the yarn color, if the second color of dye is an opaque dye, or tints over the underlying color if the second color of dye is transparent.

In the alternative, the reel member 21" may be driven in rotation in a linear surface speed different from the linear speed of the ends of yarn Y. Such driven rotation of the reel member 21" results from connection thereof with drive means as described hereinafter, through suitable means such as belt 40, and opens the possibility of thinner or thicker applications of the second color of dye to the yarns Y.

On passing from the second dye applying means 15, the yarn Y has had imparted thereto first and second colors in addition to the base color of the yarn. As so prepared, the yarn will be useful for producing a number of novel products, and preparation in accordance with the method of the present invention may end with the application of the second dye color. However, a still further variation in effects achieved is obtainable by passage of the yarn through the third dye applying means 16. In similarlity to the first and second dye applying means 14 and 15, the third dye applying means includes a housing 20" and a dye applying member mounted in the housing.

While the third dye applying means 16 may employ a brush member 21 as described hereinabove, a third alternate dye applying means 21" is herein illustrated as being adaptable to the third dye applying means 16. In particular, the end discs 41 and 42 of the third alternate dye carrying member are mounted on a shaft 21" for limited free rotation thereabout by the provision of a longitudinally extending pin 44 mounted on one end disc 41 and a radially extending pin 45 mounted on a shaft 25". On engagement of the pins 44 and 45 (shown in FIGS. 6 and 7), the end discs 41 and 42 are driven in rotation with the shaft 25", to rotate the single spotting bar 46 within the enclosure 21". By means of a suitable transmission including a belt 48 (FIG. 1), the shaft 25" is driven at a much slower rotational speed than the shaft 25 of the first dye applying means 14.

Free rotation of the end discs 41 and 42 and the spotting bar 46 about the shaft 25" occurs when driven rotation of the shaft 25" brings the spotting bar 46 upwardly into engagement with the ends of yarn Y. Upon engagement of the moving ends of yarn Ywith the spotting bar 46, the spotting bar is driven in movement by the yarns and rotates about the shaft 25". On disengagement of the spotting bar 46 from the ends of yarn Y, slow rotation of the shaft 25" subsequently results in engagement of the cross pins 44 and 45, to again repeat this action. The resulting application of a third color of dye to the ends of yarn Y is at locations spaced at substantial distances along the length of the yarns Y.

It is contemplated by the present invention that the intermittent spotting of member 21" (FIG. 6) may be replaced in the third dye applying means 16 by a reel member similar to the reel member 21" (FIG. When such an expedient is adopted, to place the spots to which the third color of dye is applied more closely togehter, it is desirable that the repeating pattern of second color of dye spots and third color of dye spots be different. To accomplish this end, the reel members used vary in at least one of several critical characteristics. As may be understood, the incremental length of yarn Y to which dye is applied by a reel member depends upon the circumferential width of the spotting bars 38, with a lesser circumferential width of the spotting bar applying dye to a shorter length of the yarn. The spacing between locations to which dye is applied is dependent upon two characteristics, mainly the effective diameter of the interrupted cylinder defined by the spotting bars'38 and the circumferential spacing of the spotting bars 38 about the reel member 21". Both of these characteristics, if changed, will vary the spacing between the successive spots of dye applied by the reel member. Most conveniently, reel members employed in the second and third dye applying means and 16 will be of different diameters and have spotting bars of different circumferential widths, to provide variation in two of the determining characteristics.

On passage of yarn from the dye applying means 14, 15 and 16, the colored yarns passed through heating means generally indicated at 50. As is the case with the creel means 10 as described above, means suitable for subjecting ends of yarn to elevated temperatures are generally known to persons skilled in textile manufacturing, are described in various previously granted patents, and are commercially available in various forms on the present market. It is contemplated by the present invention that the heating means 50 may take any acceptable form, provided that the heating means 50 includes provision for transporting the ends of yarn Y therethrough at a predetermined linear speed. In the form illustrated, the heating means 50 is an enclosed space through which air at an elevated temperature is circulated, and in which are provided a plurality of guiding rollers 51 and 52 over which the ends of yarn Y are trained to be subjected to the elevated temperatures within the enclosure during passage therethrough. The lower rollers 52, in a manner described more fully hereinafter, are driven in rotation to insure transport of the ends of yarn Y through the heating means 50.

From the heating means 50, the ends of yarn Y are advanced to a package winding means gnerally indicated at 55. In the form illustrated, the winding means 55 packages the dyed yarn Y by winding the same into a consolidated package such as a beam. Such a manner of winding is particularly favorable for instances for which the ends of yarn Y are to be supplied directly to the manufacturing apparatus, such as a flatbed knitting machine or a bonding machine, but it is to be understood that other packaging means may be employed if appropriate.

In order to insure that the ends of yarn Y are advanced to the predetermined linear speed smoothly and uniformly through the apparatus of the present invention and that the desired and predetermined differentials in speeds are established and maintained, the rotational drive for all driven elements of the apparatus is derived from a common drive means, illustrated as an electric motor 60. The electric motor is connected by a suitable endless flexible members such as chain drives or belts with the winding means 55, the driven rolls 52 of the heating means 50, and the belts 31, 40 and 48 which drive in rotation the dye carrying members of the dyeing means 14, 15 and 16. By application of proper ratios and omission of belts where necessary, movement of the yarn at the desired predetermined linear speed from the packages P and the creel means 10 through and in coordination with movement of the entire apparatus of the present invention is accomplished.

It is anticipated that, with slight modification, the apparatus of the present invention may be adapted to production of spaced-dyed effects through use of knitted sleeves. In such a process, yarn is knitted into a tubular sleeve of indeterminate length, and such a sleeve is fed to the apparatus of this invention in lieu of sheets of yarns Y as described hereinabove. Where a knitted tube is to be processed, it is anticipated that the dye applying means 14, 15, and 16 may take the form of nozzles for dripping streams of dye material onto the knitted sleeve. Thereafter, the knitted sleeve having had dye applied thereto is subjected to calendaring by being passed through rollers before entering into the heating means 50.

In the drawings and specification, there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

That which is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for imparting to textile yarn an appearance of random color variation therealong comprising:

means for advancing a substantially continuous length of textile yarn at a predetermined substantially constant linear speed along a predetermined path of travel,

9 a first dye applying member defining a cylindrical surface and mounted for rotation about an axis perpendicular to the path of yarn travel, means for driving the first dye applying member in rotation and for imparting thereto a predetermined substantially constant linear surface speed differing from the linear speed of the yarn by a factor of at least about percent of the linear speed of the yarn, reservoir means mounted adjacent said first dye applying member for retaining dye of a first color characteristic and for immersing at least a lower portion of the rotating first member in the dye,

said advancing means, first dye applying member,

drive means and first dye reservoir means cooperating in passing the yarn in engagement with an upper portion of the rotating first member and wiping lifted dye onto the engaged yarn,

asecond dye applying meber mounted for rotation about an axis perpendicular to the path of yarn travel,

reservoir means mounted adjacent said second dye applying member for retaining a dye of a second color characteristic and for immersing at least a lower portion of the rotating second member in the dye,

said advancing means, second dye applying member and second dye reservoir means cooperating in passing the yarn in engagement with an upper portion of the second member and applying lifted dye to the engaged yarn, and

means for receiving dyed yarn from the first and second dye applying members and for setting the dye onto the yarn.

21. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first dye applying member comprises a brush having a central longitudinal shaft and bristles extending radially outwardly from the shaft to define by their outer radial terminations an exterior circumferential surface of the cylindrical dye carrying member.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising guide means for directing yarn into engagement with said brush and for traversing guided yarn longitudinally thereof. t

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first dye applying member defines an uninterrupted exterior circumferential surface and further wherein said apparatus comprises guide means for directing yarn to pass along a path perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said first dye applying member and in engagement with a predetermined minor arcuate surface portion of said cylindrical dye applying member.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said second dye applying member comprises a reel having at least one longitudinally extending dye spotting bar spaced radially from the axis of rotation thereof and further wherein said apparatus comprises guide means for directing yarn to pass along a path perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said second dye applying member and generally tangentially to the path described by said at least one spotting bar on rotation of said reel member.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said reel member has a plurality of dye spotting bars spaced one from another about the circumference of said reel, said reel being mounted for free rotation and being driven in rotation by the engagement of moving yarn with the plurality of spotting bars.

7. Apparatus according to claim 5 further comprising a shaft mounting said reel member for intermittent driven rotation and intermittent free rotation, means for driving said shaft at a rotational speed predetermined to rotate said reel member with a linear surface speed substantially below the linear speed of movement of said yarn, said reel member being driven into rotation about said shaft upon engagement of moving yarn with said spotting bar and being driven in rotation by said shaft subsequent to disengagement of moving yarn and said spotting bar.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising creel means spaced from said dye applying members for supplying a plurality of ends of yarn to the apparatus.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising winding means spaced from said setting means for receiving dyed yarns therefrom and operatively connected to said advancing means for being driven to take up said dyed yarns and form the same into a package.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said drive means for said first dye applying member operatively interconnects said advancing means and said dye applying member for assuring properly coordinated movement of the yarn and the dye applying member.

11. A method of dyeing which imparts to textile yarn the appearance of random color variation comprising the steps of:

advancing a substantially continuous length of textile yarn at a predetermined substantially constant linear speed along a predetermined path of travel, while driving a first dye applying member which defines a cylindrical surface in rotation about an axis perpendicular to the path of yarn travel and imparting to the first member a predetermined substantially constant linear surface speed difi'ering from the linar speed of the yarn by a factor of at least 10 percent, while lifting dye of a first color characteristic from a reservoir in which at least a lower portion of the rotating first member is immersed and passing the yarn in engagement with an upper minor arcuate portion of the rotating first member and wiping the lifted dye onto the engaged yam, then driving a second dye applying member in rotation about an axis perpendicular to the paths of yarn travel, while lifting a dye of a second color characteristic from a reservoir in which at least a lower portion of the rotating second member is immersed and passing the yarn in engagement with an upper portion of the rotating second member and applying the lifting dye to the yarn, and then setting the dyes on the yarn.

12. A method according to claim 11 wherein the step of wiping lifted dye from the rotating first member onto the engaged yarn includes limiting the quantity of dye applied to the yarn to provide portions of the yarn which are not completely covered by the dye of a first color characteristic by driving the first member so as to impart thereto a linear surface speed less than that of the yarn.

13. A method according to claim 11 wherein the step of wiping lifted dye from the rotating first member onto the engaged yarn includes covering all portions of the yarn to provide a substantially uniformly colored yarn by driving the first member so as to impart thereto a linear surface speed greater than that of the yarn.

14. A method according to claim 11 wherein the dye of a second color characteristic is applied to the yarn at locations unevenly spaced therealong.

15. A method according to claim 11 wherein the step of setting the dyes on the yarn is preceded by the steps of driving a third dye applying member in rotation about an axis perpendicular to the path of yarn travel, while lifting a dye of a third color characteristic from a reservoir in which at least a lower portion of the rotating third member is immersed nad passing the yarn in engagement with an upper portion of the rotating third member and applying the lifted dye to the yarn.

16. A method according to claim 15 wherein the incremental length of yarn to which the dyes of second and third color characteristics are applied are different.

17. A method according to claim 1 1 wherein the wiping of lifted dye onto the engaged yarn from the first dye applying member includes engaging the yarn with the bristles of a rotating brush.

18. A method according to claim 11 wherein the wiping of the lifted dye onto the engaged yarn from the first dye applying member includes engaging the yarn with an uninterrupted exterior circumferential surface. 

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first dye applying member comprises a brush having a central longitudinal shaft and bristles extending radially outwardly from the shaft to define by their outer radial terminations an exterior circumferential surface of the cylindrical dye carrying member.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising guide means for directing yarn into engagement with said brush and for traversing guided yarn longitudinally thereof.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first dye applying member defines an uninterrupted exterior circumferential surface and further wherein said apparatus comprises guide means for directing yarn to pass along a path perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said first dye applying member and in engagement with a predetermined minor arcuate surface portion of said cylindrical dye applying member.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said second dye applying member comprises a reel having at least one longitudinally extending dye spotting bar spaced radially from the axis of rotation thereof and further wherein said apparatus comprises guide means for directing yarn to pass along a path perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said second dye applying member and generally tangentially to the path described by said at least one spotting bar on rotation of said reel member.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said reel member has a plurality of dye spotting bars spaced one from another about the circumference of said reel, said reel being mounted for free rotation and being driven in rotation by the engagement of moving yarn with the plurality of spotting bars.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 5 further comprising a shaft mounting said reel member for intermittent driven rotation and intermittent free rotation, means for driving said shaft at a rotational speed predetermined to rotate said reel member with a linear surface speed substantially below the linear speed of movement of said yarn, said reel member being driven into rotation about said shaft upon engagement of moving yarn with said spotting bar and being driven in rotation by said shaft subsequent to disengagement of moving yarn and said spotting bar.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising creel means spaced from said dye applying members for supplying a plurality of ends of yarn to the apparatus.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising winding means spaced from said setting means for receiving dyed yarns therefrom and operatively connected to said advancing means for being driven to take up said dyed yarns and form the same into a package.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said drive means for said first dye applying member operatively interconnects said advancing means and said dye applying member for assuring properly coordinated movement of the yarn and the dye applying member.
 11. A method of dyeing which imparts to textile yarn the appearance of random color variation comprising the steps of: advancing a substantially continuous length of textile yarn at a predetermined substantially constant linear speed along a predetermined path of travel, while driving a first dye applying member which defines a cylindrical surface in rotation about an axis perpendicular to the path of yarn travel and imparting to the first member a predetermined substantially constant linear surface speed differing from the linar speed of the yarn by a factor of at least 10 percent, while lifting dye of a first color characteristic from a reservoir in which at least a lower portion of the rotating first member is immersed and passing the yarn in engagement with an upper minor arcuate portion of the rotating first member and wiping the lifted dye onto the engaged yarn, then driving a second dye applying member in rotation about an axis perpendicular to the paths of yarn travel, while lifting a dye of a second color characteristic from a reservoir in which at least a lower portion of the rotating second member is immersed and passing the yarn in engagement with an upper portion of the rotating second member and applying the lifting dye to the yarn, and then setting the dyes on the yarn.
 12. A method according to claim 11 wherein the step of wiping lifted dye from the rotating first member onto the engaged yarn includes limiting the quantity of dye applied to the yarn to provide portions of the yarn which are not completely covered by the dye of a first color characteristic by driving the first member so as to impart thereto a linear surface speed less than that of the yarn.
 13. A method according to claim 11 wherein the step of wiping lifted dye from the rotating first member onto the engaged yarn includes covering all portions of the yarn to provide a substantially uniformly colored yarn by driving the first member so as To impart thereto a linear surface speed greater than that of the yarn.
 14. A method according to claim 11 wherein the dye of a second color characteristic is applied to the yarn at locations unevenly spaced therealong.
 15. A method according to claim 11 wherein the step of setting the dyes on the yarn is preceded by the steps of driving a third dye applying member in rotation about an axis perpendicular to the path of yarn travel, while lifting a dye of a third color characteristic from a reservoir in which at least a lower portion of the rotating third member is immersed nad passing the yarn in engagement with an upper portion of the rotating third member and applying the lifted dye to the yarn.
 16. A method according to claim 15 wherein the incremental length of yarn to which the dyes of second and third color characteristics are applied are different.
 17. A method according to claim 11 wherein the wiping of lifted dye onto the engaged yarn from the first dye applying member includes engaging the yarn with the bristles of a rotating brush.
 18. A method according to claim 11 wherein the wiping of the lifted dye onto the engaged yarn from the first dye applying member includes engaging the yarn with an uninterrupted exterior circumferential surface. 